Credit: The Associated Press

FILE - In this May 28, 2013, photo, President Barack Obama reacts to his introduction by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in Asbury Park, N.J. One major principle of Obama's presidency that his foes love to hate _ that government, when it works right, can be best-equipped to aid and protect Americans _ is finding fresh currency among some Republicans.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says a government that works properly can be best-equipped to help and protect the public. Republican believers in a less-is-more government generally disagree.

Yet on a variety of policy fronts, pressing financial and other needs are forcing Republicans to concede more publicly than usual that minimalist government isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution.